Marble Countertops in Your Kitchen?
I recently had a client who was enamored with some green marble countertops he had seen in a showroom display and wanted to use them in his own kitchen. I counseled him to beware because of the softness and stainability of marble.
This has been my practice throughout my 25 years as a kitchen designer. As a result I have seldom seen marble countertops installed in kitchens I have designed, except as pastry counters separated from everyday use.
Today I ran across a lengthy blog discussion on Apartment Therapy on just the subject of marble in the kitchen. Most of the posters seem to be biased toward using marble in their kitchens, so you have to read it with that understanding; but it is certainly a thorough analysis of the benefits and drawbacks.
I am a cook who likes countertops that are easy to care for and last a lifetime without great expense or drudgery. I have thoroughly loved the Corian countertops and integral sink in my own kitchen since they were installed in 1989 and I would do them again in any future kitchen (unless something better comes along).
For those of my clients who want the period look of marble I always recommend honed granite as an alternative that will be more stain and scratch resistant. There is a kitchen on my web site that shows this look.
This particular granite is very light with some garnet crystals. Honing blurs and softens the graininess of the granite. The look isn't exactly the look of marble but the overall effect is of aged countertops.
The undermounted Corian sink also contributes to the aged look.
So there are viable alternatives to fragile marble countertops in the kitchen for all but the most determined purists.
As a homeowner and cook you have to ask yourself how far you are willing to go in maintaining your own countertops. Answering that question will direct you toward the countertops that will serve your time constraints and aesthetic considerations as well.
Peggy
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What color is the corian in your kitchen and is the sink the same color? I am building a new home and had not even considered corian until I saw your comment about your own kitchen. Guess I will go back to the kitchen store and look at more materials. If you did redo your kitchen would you get lighter or darker corian?
ReplyDeleteSandra
My Corian counters and sink are Frosty White and I would likely do the same again. I like the way the white bounces light. It makes the whole kitchen bright, even with medium toned cabinets.
ReplyDeleteMy future Corian color selection would depend on cabinet color and the colors of other elements in the room.
I expect my 1989 kitchen to last as long as I do, so I would only be making such selections in the event of destructive fire or earthquake or a future move.
Peggy
I agree with you about the Corian sinks. What do you think about the Blanco's Silgranie sinks?
ReplyDeleteI like it as an alternative to cast iron and Corian.
It has a matte finish, won't show water spots and that the color goes all the way through.
The corian counters in my kitchen are golden. Perhaps that was the best I could get! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI agree that most any quality solid surface sink, including Blanco's Siligranite, is a good solution.
ReplyDeleteI regard solid surface and stainless steel sinks as the only truly lifetime sinks.
Of course there are the carved stone and copper ones, but they are more maintenance...I like to avoid mantenance if I can;-D
Peggy
I have two properties, one with granite and one with a formica top. The granite is sturdier, as you can imagine, but does seem to stain a little. The formica surface is more "all purpose", and i dont mind scratching it.
ReplyDeleteI think granite is a much better option than marble. We have had supply problems and template cutting problems with marble, it doesn't seem to be as easy to cut into...
ReplyDeleteGreat article! it give me the knowledge about the features of the granite. Because of this article i came to know the stain and scratch resistant feature of granite.
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy! I wanted to weigh in here as I have strong feelings about marble too...here is what I say AFTER I educate my client on the pros ..and the cons....if you love it, do it. I have found marble to hold up well but I also have a primo fabricator and he seals very well. Yes, it is more upkeep and if you don't want to fuss, then stay away. But, I do love the look...however, I have also used ceasarstone's misty carrera in a beach white kitchen with great results and lots easier to maintain. I also like a honed or antiqued finish on granite but don't use black honed in a bathroom...I did this in my own...( was free so ya know??) and what a big mistake! Always cleaning it!!:)
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